April 18, 2013—On Thursday, April 18, the Boone County Commission announced the nine Boone County residents who will serve one, two or three-year terms on the Boone County Children’s Services Board. The Board is being created in response to the November 2012 approval of a ¼ cent sales tax to provide funding for programs and services that protect children and prevent against future problems. The inaugural board members will be tasked with the development of board bylaws and code of ethics, election of officers, establishment of procurement processes and criteria, establishment of eligibility standards and criteria and identification of matching fund opportunities.

The Boone County Commission began accepting applications for the Children’s Services Board on January 18, 2013 and continued through February 28. The pool of eligible applicants was comprised of 28 highly qualified and committed Boone County residents, each of whom had the opportunity to meet one-on-one with the Boone County Commissioners to discuss the board’s responsibilities and their particular skill set in relation to the board. Because of the vast amount of knowledge, experience and passion in the entire group of applicants, the Boone County Commission is encouraging those not appointed to the board to continue to be active in this mission and to reapply for appointment to the board in the future. Individuals appointed to one-year terms include Nancy McKerrow, Dewey Riehn and Suzette Forbis. Individuals appointed to two-year terms include Bruce Horwitz, Kathy Thornburg and Jennifer Walker. Individuals appointed to three-year terms include Les Wagner, Michele Kennett and Gregory Grupe. The Board will host an open house on Tuesday, May 7, 2013 from 5:00PM-7:00PM in the Boone County Commission Chambers in honor of National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week.